Authenticity

The recent premium phone line "scandals" started a conversation about what else in TV is ever faked. And the problem is, of course, that as a medium a lot of it depends on artifice. Unfortunately, this includes News. Everyone involved in TV news understands the cutaway to cover an edit, the two-shot, the walking shot to introduce an interview and even - more controversially - the codded interview where the questions are edited in later. And of course the very process of editing implies selection - which may or may not be fair. None of these reflect what happens in real life - but they are necessary to present a two minute report which makes sense and works visually. Its always been this way and, for the most part, such devices are used in good faith as part of the visual grammar of TV and journalists are careful, even protective, of maintaining the integrity of their edit. There are less scrupulous examples too, however.
I suspect that the current push towards transparency and openness, coupled with the raw authenticity of new video techniques, driven by cheap ubiquitous cameras and outlets like YouTube will mean before too long these techniques will start to look as dated as Walter Cronkite's tweed suit. And probably a good thing too - in news, authenticity should be all.

Comments

[Dustbinman]

I've often wondered why news organisations don't place the 'unedited' footage of an interview online. That way, those who suspect a conspiracy in the edit can check for themselves what was actually said. Given that most online video content (and I am thinking of the BBC here!) is a direct repeat of what has been broadcast already, surely this would provide an useful 'extra level' to the web content that suppoerts the main news programmes and drive further usage? It may also focus the interviewees' and interviewers' minds on getting the job done professionally and efficiently if they know the unedited content is going to be seen!

[Richard S]

I agree in principle. The BBC did start doing this with the "red button" interactive service and the interactive Ten O'Clock News - but that was closed due to lack of traffic or interest. It begs the question of whether the amount of public interest in viewing the raw material (beyond a small niche) justifies the cost of doing so.